DTVuser2009

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Who is General Failure, and why is he reading my hard disk?!

DTVuser2009

BTW that model # for the newer Magnavox CECB is TB110MW9. that's the newer released model and appears to be the best one.

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Who is General Failure, and why is he reading my hard disk?!

mcy919

DTVuser2009, of all the CECBs that you've tried, which one do you think has the best overall reception? It sounds like you can't even pick up that NBC/This TV affiliate with the DTVPal Plus, but I may be wrong. The other features and stuff like that doesn't matter to me since I've already got DirecTV and I only watch OTA programming sometimes.

DTVuser2009

With my antenna fixed i could probably use all of the boxes i've used. now i haven't used every CECB out there but in my own experience, considering the antenna i was using was broken, the only box that got consistant reception on the weakest channels (that would be ABC/RTV here at my end, in VHF) was the Magnavox TB110MW9.

But if you want one which would last i would actually spend the big price on a high-quality HDTV tuner with analog outputs (if you want an analog TV to work) like i got with my Samsung SIR-T451.

The list i have is follows, and may change as newer versions of the boxes are released:

Pros and Cons of my converter boxes:

PROs:

1. RCA DTA801

Box has the ability to be placed in a side-ways configuration meaning it doesn't have to sit on top of something, remote control has options to turn tv on/off.

CONs:

Box runs way too hot, is a fire hazard, the software is flaky and unstable; prone to lockups, date/time failures, and even the inability to show up, rendering the box a paperweight. probably due to the high temperature. the tuner is crappy and won't lock on weak or even halfway good signals. weak signals when losing the stream allow the audio to skip repeatedly like a bad compact disc. the guide is ALWAYS updating which isn't a real problem but it may give the impression it's 'not done' to a user.

Zenith DTT900

PROs:

Box also has a remote packaged which controls the TV. the picture quality is about that of a DVD, the guide allows one to view the current and next-available show on any channel even ones you're not watching.

CONs:

The remote only controls power to the TV. not volume or any other function. the Guide needs to have the channels it lists tuned first before all data shows up (meaning it doesn't download data until each one is tuned first. then it works fine) the signal bar for a solid picture is set rather high, about 50-65% and CAN NOT FLUCTUATE!! if it fluctuates enough the box 'gives up' and goes to red in signal meter (red zoning) and fails to lock on a stable picture worth watching, requiring the box powered down and then back on. the box will give an error 'Aspect Ratio Cannot be Changed on this Channel' on zoom if the broadcast aspect ratio matches the one set in the menu. that is if you use a standard CRT TV and have the menu set to match (4:3) and the broadcast is 4:3, yet the picture is windowboxed (bars on all four sides making the picture look like a 'postage stamp') or letter boxed you cannot zoom without first going through the menu and changing it to Widescreen 16:9 and trying again. and on some channels that only makes the sides or top fit with bars on the rest.

Apex DT250

PROs:


Box locks on channels with signals as weak as 24-30%, Guide shows data for the currently tuned channel up to 24-hours in advance*. has smart antenna port

CONs:


Box runs hot but not as hot as the RCA above. the power supplies are weak and make whining noises indicating transformer arc which severely shortens the life of the box and adds a fire hazard should it eventually short out. the on-screen features such as the Guide or menu or Display cause an annoying 'hum' through the TV speaker or audio system (if using Surround Sound Stereo). scans for channels take an eternity. the remote doesn't control TV features. no buttons on front except power so no tuning without remote unless one purchases the universal remote (works) box suffers from the same 'Aspect Ratio cannot be Changed on This Channel' malady as the Zenith.

Magnavox TB110MW9 (the upgraded box):

PROs:

Great signal reception and DVD-quality picture. signals as weak as 19-24 (recommended 32% for most channels especially VHF) are steady with minimal video artifacts but no audio dropouts. Guide matches the Apex DT250 in that it shows the currently tuned channel's program info up to 24-hours in advance*

CONs:

Remote doesn't control TV features. no buttons at all on front panel rendering it inop unless one purchases a universal remote (recommended and works) the signal meter starts at zero. it takes a long time to show the actual signal and requires waiting. the box has an annoying 'Scanning...' window when changing channels taking a little time to find video. more a annoyance than a problem.

Dish Network DTVPal Plus

PROs:

Box has the ability to use a Dish satellite receiver universal remote control without programming a code for it. the Guide is the best in the series. it shows the same data as a Dish Satellite Receiver. all channels up to a few weeks in advance*. has the 'browse banner' which means as you're watching a show you can see data for the current and next show on any channel as well as the one you're watching (like the Zenith). it's very small and easy to locate and doesn't show outwardly in a centre.

CONs:

Box, like the Zenith, has the bar set high for a reliable picture. the manual states difficulty with signals below 54% although realistically it's about 58-64% depending on the channel in question. VHF needs about 65-75% at least. the signal meter is available on the browse banner but only for a second, and the menu option to see it all the time to aim an antenna is a little complicated. the remote doesn't control TV features but you can use any universal remote and a Dish satellite receiver remote works out of the box. there is no video window on the Guide to see what you're watching as you check out program info. the picture quality was a little grainy like analog Cable on my CRT TVs. not sure how it looks on a HDTV.

Samsung SIR-T451 HDTV Tuner

PROs:

Don't be fooled by the 'HDTV tuner' label, this one has multiple outputs, even one for a computer monitor, composite, and digital audio, and selectable resolution from analog 480i to 1080p. Box has an excellent Guide. probably the best. has video window to see what you're watching as you browse meaning you don't miss a thing. it also sports a 'mini guide' which shows data for the current channel as video continues full-screen; like the Apex and Magnavox boxes up to weeks in advance* it shows the main channel (but not sub-channel) and input mode on the box itself through a mirrored LCD display. it also works for Cable. using QAM, it can up-convert analog cable to HD quality. the box has a Zoom that works no matter what.

CONs:

The signal bar is also set high. upwards of 50% and up. the Guide takes a long time to load up if box was first powered on, and during that phase there is no video preview window. the box is super-expensive new, and is not coupon eligible. the resolution isn't able to be changed through the menu but from a hard switch in the box's rear. there is no HDMI output. no power down options meaning it needs to be manually turned off/on if the user prefers not to leave it on constantly. the zoom isn't set forever, requiring manual settings on each channel each time.


*: 'Your Mileage May Vary' or realistically, not all broadcasters may show the entire 24-hours and up on their guides. i've only been able to get a few hours in advance. some may have the entire deal but others may not show Guide info at all or it shows no details. some only show 'DTV Program' and no other info. some show the title of the show but no description.

__________________
Who is General Failure, and why is he reading my hard disk?!

mcy919

MANY thanks for that detailed and well thought-out report. Judging by what you've said, the Magnavox may be the way to go for the best reception. Plus, I didn't know its picture quality was that good, which is definitely another plus. I know a lot of people have said they've have problems with them, but I can always exchange it if that's the case.

HTNut

Nice reviews DTVUser2009.

JakesDTVBlog

I've been using the Magnavox boxes on two TVs in our house (the kids' bedrooms) since shortly after the first ones came out, so those would be the TB100MW9s. So far, after more than a year of using them, they're not bad, but not the most user-friendly units out there. I don't like not being able to manually take out subchannels I don't watch. And forget any universal remote compatibility unless you get a remote that can learn the functions.

The Venturer boxes I use (in the bedroom of our RV and our bedroom at home) are much more user-friendly, and you can eliminate unwanted subchannels, but the remotes are so tiny as to be darn near unusable if you have large hands. Fortunately, most of the universals I've tried will work the most important features, even the cheapest GE and RCA universals you can get at Wally World. There is no EPG, just a simple "what's on now" feature. I seldom use it.

I also have one of the newest Maggies, the TB110MW9, which seems to work better than the original as far as picking up channels, but is still not as user-friendly as the Venturer.

All of the above work better at pulling down channels, though, than our new Dynex 32" LCD TV. It isn't bad, mind you, but for $400, it should be at least a little more sensitive than it is. At least it has a pretty picture ... ;-)

Piggie

I have a DTVPal Plus. It drops out about the same point my TV's and Insignia drop both VHF and UHF.

The Insignia doens't have numbers nor does my Olevia TV. But my Toshiba has numbers.

On the Toshiba I drop VHF or UHF at 38 out of 100. On the DTVPal Plus it takes about 63 out of 100.

However these numbers are relative. I have hooked them up side by side, not looking at the strength meter and they drop at the same time. The DTVPal Plus does loose less of the picture than the Toshiba TV on marginal fades, probably due to having more memory.

I also tried the DTVPal into the RF input and it looks like my Insignia into ch3, just analog TV that is very clear.

However if I put them into the composite input of my Toshiba, they look just as good as the internal tuner.

If I had to buy another one, it would be the DTVPal Plus.

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The more I understand, the less I know.

DTVuser2009

Jake the incompatibility of universal remotes is incorrect. i have a new Phillips Learning remote that i just programmed the code for Magnavox into the 'CBL' key and it works on all functions.

Some boxes require code-search. not sure why that works when the proper codes listed do not.

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Who is General Failure, and why is he reading my hard disk?!

JakesDTVBlog

That may well be true, but the only remote I was able to get to work with the older Maggies at all is my $20 URC learning remote that I got at Wally World.

I've yet to try the TB110MW9 with any of my universals. Interestingly, though, the remote key layout of the 110 is different from the 100. That was a real brain-flipper for me.